LEAGUE COULD BAN BLOCKS TO THE HEAD

The NFL is expected to take a look at a rule proposal that would ban blind-side blocks to the head, according to Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer. The example Reedy uses is Hines Ward’s block on Keith Rivers, which gave the Bengals linebacker a broken jaw in Week 7 and ended his season. “They’re allowed to block a defender anywhere, and we’re trying to protect that defender and say you cannot block that defender in the head,” said Competition Committee co-chair Rich McKay. “Just for safety purposes we think that’s a situation we just don’t want to occur. We’d rather have the blocker attempt the block in the chest area, anywhere but in the head.” Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, who is a member of the Competition Committee, said it’s important to take measures that reduce the risk of concussions. “Player safety is big. We’re trying to eliminate the helmet to helmet fouls that can cause a lot of concussions and lingering effects,” Lewis said. “We want to keep them on the field playing. At the end of the day, we come to a clearer resolution and err on the side of caution. As far as our committee, everyone might not see it the same way, but if it saves three players from injury, they are going to go along with it.”